It Is High Time to Increase Elite Soccer Substitutions Permanently

The soccer injury rate is distinctly higher during matches than the training sessions. Rules determine how to play, generating specific kinds of fatigue which is associated with the injury incidence. No research has evaluated the impact of potential rule-induced physical demands in soccer or comparing sports. Understanding the differences might be useful for enhancing rules (e.g., safer sport). Therefore, the aims of this study were: a) to described the differences in the rule-induced physical demands of soccer, futsal, basketball, and handball; and b) to evaluate whether soccer rule-induced physical demands are different than the other invasion intermittent team sports, focusing the impact of the substitutions rules. Data were collected from different sports rules (i.e., soccer, futsal, basketball, and handball), and performed hypothetical corrections to equate the other team sports to the soccer (i.e., court dimensions/number of players). The data showed that soccer has higher rule-induced physical demands: lower substitutions, higher dimensions in absolute (eight to 15 times), and relative (four to eight times) values. Hypothetical corrections showed that soccer has remarkably large differences. Therefore, we conclude that soccer has remarkably higher rule-induced physical demands than other team sports, and allowing unlimited substitutions in soccer is a must.

Descriptive Epidemiology of Soccer Injury During Elite International Competition in Africa

Epidemiological research on soccer injuries during African soccer competition is sparse. This study was conducted among 12 teams in the Council of East and Central Africa Football Association (CECAFA) challenge cup tournament. Fifty-seven injuries were reported (2.7 injuries per match), or 82.25 injuries per 1,000 match hours. The ankle was most often injured (23%). The majority (81%) of injuries occurred as a result of traumatic contact, with the most injuries occurring in the last 30 min of the match. A majority (84%) of athletes who sustained injuries continued to play. African medical personnel should be trained to handle the unique constraints and variety of injuries sustained during soccer competition.